A bill proposes to clarify that an officer can question a juvenile if they were a witness to or victim of a crime.

SB 5052, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D–Shoreline), is a bill that would modify the ability of law enforcement to contact juvenile witnesses and juvenile victims who are not suspected of criminal involvement.

As with adults, law enforcement are required to inform juveniles of their right to an attorney during questioning in relation to a crime they are suspected of committing. This bill proposes to add language specifying that a law enforcement officer can question a consenting juvenile without attorneys if they were instead a witness to or victim of a crime. However, any information they gather could not be used in a prosecution’s case against the juvenile, except for impeachment purposes.

Prosecutors and law enforcement have described the proposal as headed in the right direction but have some technical changes and feedback that they are providing.

We are seeking city and police department feedback on the impacts of this bill and will monitor it this legislative session. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing in committee on January 15.

Dates to remember

SB 5052 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Human Services Committee on January 15 at 8 am.